Cigars and the Tropical Environment

[cabaiguan juan]

I just got back from a trip to Puerto Rico and I brought along a bunch of cigars with me to PR. I also brought a bag of 65% beads with me and a hygrometer too. One thing I noticed was that while the humidity was high enough to keep my cigars from drying out, the temp was 85 degrees and I was panicking about beetles and just the general affect of temperature on cigars. I noticed that a few cigars I had didn’t taste as good as the ones I’ve had in the past in more controlled conditions. When y’all go down to the tropics and bring your cigars with you, how do you deal with the temperature? Have any of you been daring enough to just leave your cigars out in the heat and humidity of which they were born in?

I’d like to add that since I was staying at a friends place, I didn’t want to run his AC all day and run up his bill. We were right on the water and so we opened up all the windows to create a breeze through his place during the day.

 

[tkoepp]

I don't know if this is possible in your situation, but purchase a thermoelectric cooler, the ones that usually hold about a 6pack, and can be plugged into the car or house. These are note terribly expensive.
The thermoelectric cooler will not extract all moisture out of the contained air as a compressor type cooler. The TEC contains the same unit as the cooled humidors.
Just my .02
Tim

 

[Rconectn]

Best way is just bring your cigars in a travel humidor with no beads or humidity device. Just leave your cigars in there and you'll see that in places with high humidity your cigars will be a-ok! Happened to me when I visted Costa Rica for a month. I brought beads,65%, with me and a week into my trip I noticed that my cigars felt soggy. After that I left the beads in my baggage and left my cigars in the otter box alone. Once I did that my smokes where feeling nice and firm again!

 

[Mr Peat]

While in Honduras, Rocky just left the cigars out at the table. They was a little moist in the morning but they recovered nicely during the day when it got warm. Smoked many many many cigars in 2 days under that condition. I also took my own down there and didnt have a travel humidor. I think they smoked great and I was there a full week. :thumbs:

 

[cabaiguan juan]

While in Honduras, Rocky just left the cigars out at the table. They was a little moist in the morning but they recovered nicely during the day when it got warm. Smoked many many many cigars in 2 days under that condition. I also took my own down there and didnt have a travel humidor. I think they smoked great and I was there a full week. :thumbs:

I got to say, that leaving cigars out and not keeping them in a humidor is an awesome idea. It is like freedom for your sticks, like walking around with out the constrains of underwear. Mr. Peat, did the heat affect how your cigars tasted at all? I had a couple of cigars which seamed harsh, or had a much different flavor profile them when I had them before.

 

[Mr Peat]

While in Honduras, Rocky just left the cigars out at the table. They was a little moist in the morning but they recovered nicely during the day when it got warm. Smoked many many many cigars in 2 days under that condition. I also took my own down there and didnt have a travel humidor. I think they smoked great and I was there a full week. :thumbs:

I got to say, that leaving cigars out and not keeping them in a humidor is an awesome idea. It is like freedom for your sticks, like walking around with out the constrains of underwear. Mr. Peat, did the heat affect how your cigars tasted at all? I had a couple of cigars which seamed harsh, or had a much different flavor profile them when I had them before.

The ones I had was fine. I had one that was a Opus and it was probably one of the best normal production Opus I had. It will depend on the type of cigars you have really.

 

[MiamiCubano]

When I am in the tropics, I always leave my cigars out. Never hurt 'em and they smoke/taste beautifully.